Advice on choosing between 2 knife sets? (German Wustof vs. Spanish J.A. Henckels)

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hoolahoolahoolahoop

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Apr 24, 2016
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Hi all, I'm choosing between two different knife sets and could use some advice.

The first is a made-in-Germany Wustof set (HERE) and the second is a made-in-Spain J.A. Henckels set (HERE).

They're both basically same in the number of knives (one offers a few more steak knives), both are stamped, they're approximately the same price ($200 vs. $150) and both are German steel.

The main difference is the slightly more expensive Wustof set is made in Germany, while the Zwilling JA Henckels set is German steel but manufactured in Spain. I don't cook very often (1-2 times per week tops) but am looking for something that is reliable, well-made, and will last a long time. I guess my main question is, is "made-in-Germany" versus Spain worth the extra $50? Does German manufacturing produce substantially better results in the long term and in performance compared to knives manufactured in Spain, even for light users?

Thanks!

(This question also posted on KitchenKnifeForums.com)
 
Most people here (including me) are going to steer you away from buying a set. They are always going to be less of a value than buying just the knives you want.
I don't know anything about the sets that you are looking at, but I will tell you that you can do better. Get an 8" chef's knife, a paring knife, and a bread knife from Victorinox's fibrox or classic line, and you won't come up short.

Chris
 
If the choice is between those two sets only i would recommend the Wusthof Gourmet set, as the overall build quality is better and they will hold an edge longer.
Both brands may look rather similar in pictures, but not in real life.
Wusthof as a brand in general is still a favorite of many Chefs in my area (mostly their more expensive Classic and IKON series), but their entry level Gourmet series are still good quality knives in their own right, with a good balance & cutting geometry.

Another quality German manufacturer would be F.Dick.
Nowadays most knives made by J.A. Henckels are not in the same league as the other two.
 
Why not spend the money and get 2 to three nicer knives? For reference I wound up buy a big set many (15+ years ago) of Wusthof Grand Prix knives. I like them, but recently got more into it again. I have since bought a Tojiro and a few other knives that I like MUCH better. Despite having a huge set I find myself just grabbing for the Tojiro more than anything else.
 
Skip the set (those brands aren't up to snuff anyway) and get:
1) 270mm Tojiro ITK bread knife
2) 240mm Tojiro DP gyuto
3) 120mm Tojiro DP petty

This will cover all of your bases without breaking the bank.

Alternately, the Gesshin Uraku line has great bang for the buck, too.
 
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